Virgin Australia leads trial using Gevo’s biojet in Brisbane

On Sept. 11, Virgin Australia announced the successful completion of a trial to deliver sustainable aviation fuel through Brisbane Airport’s general fuel supply system. Biojet used during the trail was supplied by Gevo Inc.

Working in partnership with the Queensland government, Brisbane Airport Corp., Gevo and supply chain partners Caltex and DB Schenker, Virgin Australia led the procurement and blending of biojet with traditional jet fuel for supply into the future infrastructure at Brisbane Airport.

According to Virgin Australia, the trail marked the first time that sustainable aviation fuel has been delivered through the general fuel supply system at any airport in Australia.

Gevo indicated its jet fuel was used to fuel approximately 195 domestic and international flights that departed from Brisbane Airport during the trial. Virgin Australia noted those 195 flights traveled more than 430,000 kilometers (267,190 miles) to destinations around the globe.

Virgin Australia Airlines Group Executive Rob Sharp, said the airline was proud to lead the delivery of sustainable aviation fuel into the fuel infrastructure at Brisbane Airport.“Virgin Australia is leading the way in the production and use of sustainable aviation fuel in Australia. We recognize that there is a great opportunity to develop a thriving sustainable fuels industry, which will help to reduce emissions and drive investment and jobs growth in Australia,” Sharp said.

“The successful completion of the trial at Brisbane Airport is the first important step in ensuring Australian airports and the fuel supply chain will be ready for the regular supply of sustainable fuels in Australia, he continued. “We would like to thank the Queensland Government and our partners for their involvement and look forward to fueling more flights departing from Brisbane Airport with biojet over the next 12-18 months.”

Patrick Gruber, CEO of Gevo, offered his congratulations and commented on the potential of biojet produced in Queensland. “Congratulations to Virgin Australia and the Queensland Government for their vision and leadership,” he said. “Gevo recognizes that Australia, and Queensland, in particular, have great potential to produce renewable low-carbon jet fuel from a variety of raw materials. The establishment of production capabilities for renewable jet fuel in Australia would not only be good for economic growth, leveraging the abundant raw materials, but more importantly it could lead to domestic jet fuel production which could reduce Australia’s dependence on imported jet fuel. We look forward to continuing to work with Queensland, Virgin Australia, feedstock suppliers, and other partners in Australia to make Queensland-based production of renewable jet fuel a reality.”